Gassiev and Ruiz contacted for Hrgovic Title Eliminator

Actually, Ortiz is the top-rated IBF contender at the moment. Higher than Hrgovic. The only person rated higher than Ortiz by the IBF is Usyk.

And Ortiz knocked out Martin brutally 26 days ago.

Gassiev can't defeat his own gym equipment.

 

The IBF needs to immediately drop everyone who rejected this without legit reason (I'm giving Ortiz benefit of the doubt) out of their top 10.

It is embarrassing that fighter will pass up a chance to become a mandatory because there aren't enough zeros on the check.

 

Just checked Gassiev's arm injury status. No way he's ready for this fight. He only started coming back to training from his injury just 2 days ago. He won't be able to really train for at least another month. This fight need to happen in May or he won't be able to take it.

 

If it's May, Ortiz can take it.

 

I can't see Ortiz winning this fight at his age and his management probably feels the same way .Gassiev? if he's a healthy trained fighter,( a big if as of now) this could be a good fight and really it might be Gassiev's only way to leap frog the ch#ken sh#t dead beats ahead of him in the division . If Gassiev can't go this early he sure needs to fight as soon as possible.

 

No way is Ruiz going anywhere near Hrgovic, I’ll remain hopeful for Gassiev.

But really, the best solution is to pay Bakole off and carry the Hrgovic/Yoka rivalry to the pros.

 

I was looking forward to Yoka-Hrgovic. Those were a glorious two days about a week ago.

Thanks Covid!

 

Initially I thought Ortiz's injury was something that appeared only after Hrgovic's name was mentioned, but since it was an in-ring real injury this idea that he's getting passed is a little crazy. He came to win twice against Wilder (came kind of close too) and picked himself off the canvas to KO Martin. Clearly his (enlarged, struggling) heart is in this. I'd want to see more recent evidence that Gassiev's is the same.

Ortiz should get a solid chance to heal and fight Hrgo no later than July if he's willing. If he isn't then sure call up Ruiz, Gassiev, even Martin.

 

Ruiz won't take it and Gassiev will probably pass it up as well. No idea what Dempsey McKean will do. My gut feeling is that Zhang Zhilei eventually takes the fight. He seems the only one with a genuine pair.

 

A fight they should be able to get up for

 

Zhang wants the fight, he's getting older and has to make his move now.

I hope Gassiev doesn't take it, it will derail his career at heavyweight. Ruiz should take it but he won't.

Charles Martin would be a waste of time, but he won't take it even though it's his last chance.

 

Agreed.

It would be funny if Martin accepted after getting brutally stopped in one IBF eliminator this year and then beat Hrgovic.

Just give Ortiz a month until he can begin training. Hold the final eliminator in May.

Sounds like whomever has the belt when the eliminator takes place isn't going to defend against the IBF mando right away regardless.

There are too many moving pieces right now.

 

Gassiev and Ruiz should square off first imo.